Tree construction



June 12, 1956 M. D'AGNILLO 2,749,639

TREE CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 12, 1954 5. INVENToR. M.z' che/e l) g/zzY/O ATTO RN EYB United States Patent 2,749,639 TREE CONSTRUCTION Michele DAgniuo, East Greenwich, R. l., assignor to California Artificial Flower Company, a corporation of Rhode Island This invention relates to an artificial tree construction and more particularly to tha-t type of tree referred to as a Christmas tree.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a tree construction which may be readily assembled and disassembled and stored in a relatively small space during the off-season.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a Christmas tree structure a trunk construction which will have no unsightly protuberances thereon and which will yet provide sockets for the reception of detachable branches.

A more specific object of the invention is yto form an artificial Christmas tree construction of relatively inexpensive materials which may be bound to a central core and which may be readily adapted to be provided in sections.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

ln the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a completely assembled Christmas tree;

Figure 2 is a perspective View of a partially assembled trunk for the tree;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a completely assembled trunk before the outer wrapping has been put on;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a completed trunk;

Figure 5 is a sectional View on lines 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective View taken approximately at lines 6-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of one of the sockets;

Figures 8 and 9 are views of a tree top and branch spray, respectively.

In proceeding with the invention, l provide a central core, preferably in the form of a hollow cylinder, and fasten around the periphery of this core a plurality of tubes which are spaced by means of longitudinally extending dowels. The completed structure may then be helically wrapped with a covering tape in a manner so as to leave the ends of the tubes open. Branches, which have been assembled previously, may then be inserted into the sockets formed in the trunk by the ends of the tubes, a top branch being inserted into the end of the hollow core and the hollow core being slipped over a stand which is provided with a central upright post.

Referring now to the drawings, the completed tree shown in Figure 1 is composed of a trunk portion 10 as shown in Figure 4. This trunk member is provided with a central core 11 which is adapted to be supported upon a base member 12 which may be provided with a central upstanding dowel for insertion within the central core 11. The trunk is provided with a plurality of socket members 15 arranged in spaced relationship around the circumference of the core, the tops of the sockets being longitudinally staggered so that they progressively alternate position along the trunk. In Figure 5 there is shown one relationship of the sockets at the top of the trunk, area A, in

v.which `they assume degree circumferential spacing. To Yfill out `the body of the trunk, ller means, which take the form of dowels 16, are affixed to the core 11 adjacent thesockets 15, the sockets and dowels being held 'togetherfby a banding tape 18. It will be noted thatthe ,dowels '16 extent for the fulllength of ithe trunk.` Thus, at area B in order to secure the staggered relationship, the tops of three additional sockets are affixed to the core 11 in the spaces 17 (Figure 5). The length of the sockets 15 have been chosen so that they will extend through two areas in order to maintain a fairly uniform outside diameter although they may be made shorter if uniform diameter is not desired. Additionally, they are tapered, as seen in Figure 7, so that as portion 20c is reached, the top three sockets, which leave a space between three pairs of dowels 16, are of minimum diameter affording an easy entrance into the tops of three additional sockets that fill the space between dowels and begin section C. Section D is a repeat of the above described structure and begins at the end of .the sockets associated with section B. The structure may, of course, be repeated indefinitely until the entire length of core 11 has been filled.

The assembly of the trunk may be readily effected by taking the central core and the dowels and the sockets previously referred `to and placing them in the staggered relation described. Binding tapes 18 may then be wrapped around the dowels and socket tubes in progressive relationshipl as the socket tubes assume their proper position. As soon as `the portion such as 20B is reached, three new socket tubes are `added to the assembly to continue their progression down the trunk and so on.

To provide pleasing appearance, the completed structure is then wrapped with some covering tape of ornamental color which will blend with the sprays to be aixed to -the tree, the wrapping being preferably effected in a helical fashion as shown in Figure 4 and will leave the socket portion areas 20 free for the insertion of sprays.

The completed structure of the artificial tree is provided with a plurality of detachable branches or sprays which may take various forms, several examples being shown in Figures l and 9 of generally increasing size from the top to the base so as to provide an ornamental shape. The tree top 14 (Figure 8) is a complete assembly which is provided with a vertical extending portion having no ornamentation at the base portion thereof so that it may be readily inserted within the central core 11 of the trunk. The individual sprays are similarly constructed although of different shape and are adapted to be received within tubular sockets 15 that are staggered throughout the length of a tree trunk.

It should be understood that this trunk may be made in any lengths and when completed lends itself in combintion with the sprays to a bundle which may be readily packaged and stored during the off-season periods. Additionally, two or more trunks may be assembled in end to end fashion by the use of interconnecting dowels, as with this construction the `trunk is of substantially uniform diameter throughout its length. Certain departures in construction may be made such as adjusting the relative size of the elements. For instance, with extremely tall trees, it becomes apparent that a larger stronger core will be necessary which will resul-t in a larger circumference. If the dowels and sockets remain of identical size, it will be apparent that the dowels will not completely fill the areas between the socket members and thus two or more may have to be used side by side to keep substantially a uniform diameter.

I claim:

l. In an artificial tree, a trunk comprising a central core, a group of longitudinally extending sockets in spaced relationship around the core, a second group of longimore than one group and between the overlapped sockets tudinally extending sockets in spaced relationship around to ll out the body of the trunk. the core in a different longitudinal position than the rst group, the sockets of one group being loca'ted in References Cited inthe me 0f hlS Patent axial alignment with the spaces of the other group and 6 UNITED STATES PATENTS overlapping the sockets of the other group in axial extent.

2. In an articia1 trunk as in claim 1 wherein said ler Soet 31g' sockets are tapered with thelr larger end upwardly. i 2,070,825 Buhrow Feb. 16' 1937 3. In an artificial tree trunk as in claim 1 wherein additional members extend lengthwise along the length of 10 

